Boosted by a record 13.5 million viewers for the GOP debate on Nov. 10, Fox Business Network had its highest-rated month ever in November. The network averaged 162,000 total viewers and 36,000 in the A25-54 demo for total day viewing. FBN’s Business Day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), which experienced its sixth straight month of growth, averaged 96,000 total viewers and 14,000 in the demo. In prime time, the network hit another record, averaging 497,000 total viewers and 131,000 in the demo.
FNC and FBN chief Roger Ailes shook up the FBN schedule in May. About the changes, Ailes told TVNewser, “Once we hit a critical mass on the number of subs we had, I changed the entire lineup to put Maria [Bartiromo] in, who is very advertiser-friendly. Even if the numbers aren’t there, they love her. And you got [Neil] Cavuto, whose numbers are good. [Stuart] Varney whose numbers area good.” Business news on TV is “a tough grind,” Ailes added. FBN is in more than 80 million homes.
The debates, which are giving a boost to all networks broadcasting them, helped FBN finish as the number four network in cable prime time for the week of Nov. 9. The day after the debate, Nov. 11, also saw FBN top rival CNBC in the demo, for the first time ever.